Many abandoned the Bombers following a rough two seasons in which they won just nine games. So many fans stopped believing in the Blue that this year’s home opener was 8,500 short of a sellout, leaving a quarter of the stadium empty.

“I thought they would struggle to draw early in the season because of what happened last year and the year before,” said Irving. “Just the negative perception the club has been functioning.”

If the Bombers beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-2), it’ll mark the first time they start a season with six wins in seven games since 2011 – the same year Winnipeg made it all the way to the Grey Cup.

But the Bombers know they need more than a few wins to woo their fans.

“We’re doing everything we can in this building to make sure we’re successfull,” said quarterback Drew Willy. “That goes from the top down.”